Troubleshoot Non-Retracting Lens Due to Camera Drop

Lens repairs for a camera drop are one of the most common
repairs seen by camera shops and digital camera manufacturers. If your
lens is not retracting due to a camera drop, the first thing you should
do is contact your manufacturer to see if they will cover the repair
under the warranty. In most cases, they will not, but it is worth a
shot. They may offer to repair the digital camera for you, but in most
cases, the cost of the repair is more than the digital camera is
actually worth.

Batteries

Remove the batteries from your digital camera and leave them out for
a few minutes. If you are using rechargeable batteries, make sure the
batteries have a full charge before placing them back into the digital
camera. It is recommended that you charge the batteries for at least 6
hours. If you are using regular AA or AAA batteries, make sure you are
using brand new batteries of the same brand. Turn the camera back on to
see if the lens will retract. If that doesn't work, turn the camera
back off and try turning it back on while you are pressing the function
or OK button.

If the batteries were low when the camera was dropped, the lens may
not retract properly until the camera is reset. Remove the memory card
from your digital camera and install new batteries. Do not put the
memory card back into the digital camera and turn the digital camera
back on. You will get an error message regarding the memory card, but
that is okay. With some digital cameras, leaving the memory card out
will trigger a reset within the digital camera.

AV Cable

If you have an audio/video cable (AV), insert that cable into the
digital camera and turn it on. By using an AV cable, the LCD screen
will not power on, which means there will be more battery power
available to the digital camera. If any dirt got into the digital
camera when you dropped it, the extra power may help the camera retract
the lens.

Autofocus

Place your digital camera on its back on a hard surface. The lens
should be pointed towards the ceiling. While pressing the shutter
button, turn the digital camera on. The idea behind this concept is
that the camera will try to autofocus, which may help seat the lens
barrel pins back into their slot.

Cleaning

It is possible that when you dropped your digital camera, dirt, sand
particles, etc. may have lodged themselves into the lens barrel. Gently
blow around the lens barrel to knock lose any particles. Using a
microfiber cloth, wipe off the lens and try to wipe as deep into the
lens barrel as you can. You can also try using compressed air and
blowing it in the gaps around the lens barrel. Be careful not to blow
any of the compressed air onto the lens itself, as the pressure of the
air may damage your lens. The idea here is that if there are any
particles lodged in the lens barrel by the lens mechanism, you will be
able to knock them lose.